National Republican., 1887-07-07

named and over thirty railroads in opera
tion, which IL will cross, cannot but con.
tribute to its immense business, as they
: must become important feeders to this
great double track railroad line between
the populous east and the great and grow
ing west and southwest.
The scenery along this contemplated
railroad route is quite as beautiful as those
along the Western North Carolina or the
Denver and Rio Grande railroads, which
are very fine. Then just southeast and
within one mile of, aud parallel with, the
Hot and Warm Springs Valley there stands
in all the majesty Of imperial presence
towering far above and overlooking the
surrounding country, the Hot and Warm
Springs mountain, 1000 feet above the val
ley, which is $500 feet above tide water.
Along its summit a magnificent mountain
boulevard, 300 feet wide and miles long,
may be quickly and cheaplv constructed;
and the approaches up either end Of the
boulevard will be easy carriage grades.
From the top OF this mountain 1t seems
that person can look into all the sur
rounding states, and with Il powerful glass
1t is believed that one can quite see ships
sailing on the bosom of the Atlantic ocean,
200 miles away. "From its summit the be
holder can see rolling away from his feet
range upon range OF mountains ex-
tending to the edge OF the hOr-
rizon, and In their undulations looking
like the gigantic waves Of the mighty ocean
suddenly and eternally arrested at the
height OF their onward fiow," where they
seem swallowed up and lost IN the invisible
distance where the unseen commences. 1t
Ia worth a journey of II thousand miles to
behold a sunrise ana sunset from the top OF
this stupendous mountain The sun ap-
pears to come up out OF the Atlantic ocean,
dripping with the sparkling dews OF the
early morning, and at night he appears to
go down into the waters of the far distant
Pacific, where the horizon blends earth and
sky In harmonious union, and all other
scenes seem Incompatible with the splen-
dors of his rich and golden glories here.
Persons who have Travelled extensively in
our own and other countries assert that
these views are as grand and beautiful as
any to be seen In Switzerland, in old Mex
leo, or Colorado.
Along the summit OF this majestic noun
tain, up $500 feet in the pure air, aud on
this scenic and picturesque railroad route,
we Americans will proudly boast Of having
the only mountain boulevard In the world,
most grand ana magnificent to contem plate,
and easy OF realization. Midway the con-
templated boulevard there is an easy grade
leading up from Hot Springs, and here may
be built, II so desired, an incline railway
only one mile In length, leading up to Hot
Springs observatory, to be supported by n
tubular iron stru, ture 500 feet high making
the observatory 1000 feet above the sea.
This observatory may be constructed at
leisure, when other important improve
ments deemed necessary shall have been
completed.
This valley and this great central indie.
pendent double track railroad route, lead
ing.from Portland, Boston, New York, and
the overll owing east via Washington city,
through thickly and richly populated sec.
tions Of our country, over and through in
exhaustible beds OF coal, iron, granite, mar
bic, copper and other valuable minerals,
to the Mississippi river aud on to Central
Texas, finally, with the important branch
to Charleston, Cincinnati, Louisville, and
st. Louis, Is TO be of great importance In
the near future; and those who appreciate
the situation and grasp the prize now will
reap the rich reward and link their names
with the grandest aud most gigantic enter
prise OF the present time. These conclu-
sions are the result OF many years OF ma
ture thought and observation, travel and
examination, and careful study; and they
are an ideal realization, sure TO be accom-
plished In the not very distant future. The
Hot, Warm, Sulphur, and Healing Springs
are now very popular, and many thousand
people from all sections of the
United States and other countries visit
them for health and pleasure
every season, but visitors now have to ride
over mountain roads twenty miles from the
nearest railroad station. With this direct
railroad route In operation, the Hot, Warm
sulphur, and Healing Springs hotels and
cottages will be filled the year around, and
hundreds of new cottages and hotels will
soon be required, and here will grow up
great city extending throughout the valley,
containing over 100000 Inhabitants, and
people will be constantly coming to this
gieat American SLOAN, this beautiful and
wonderful valley of triple santarums all
within distance OF three and five miles OF
each other, and directly on this great central
double track railroad route, leading from
the great cities Of the east via the nations
capital into the very heart OF the imperial
state Of Texas.
The present route to this celebrated val
ley Is by the way Of MillbOro', Clifton
Forge, or COvingtOn, the latter distant from
Washington city 233 miles, then by stage
over mountain roads 20 miles farther, max
ing 256 miles, most generally occupying
two days. have heard many persons who
have been over the present route several
times complain Of being on the road two
days each time, being delayed at two rail-
road stopoyer places, making four days
going and returning each time, aud have
had the same experience.
The new route cOntemplates railroad
line direct from Washington city, com
mencing at or near the Virginia end OF the
contemplated "MemOrial bridge" or the
Long bridge, and running near Fairfax
Court House aud to the wonderful l.uray |